NINERS_1st_0863_KW_.jpg The San Francisco 49er's #56 Brandon Moore celebrates his tackle that kept the Bronco's to a field goal in the first quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colorado at the Invesco Field at Mile High on December 31, 2006. The niner's won 26 to 23Kat Wade/The Chronicle

The 49ers added another expensive piece to their defensive alignment Sunday night when they landed veteran Takeo Spikes, who will join Patrick Willis in a high-powered inside linebacking tandem.

To make room for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, the team released linebacker Brandon Moore, who led them in tackles two years ago but whose play had fallen off since then.

Spikes, 31, and the 49ers had been talking since March after he was released by Philadelphia after just one season. He was due to make $5 million in 2008, and the Eagles felt they could use that money elsewhere since they liked their younger linebackers.

Spikes started 14 games for them last year before tearing a rotator cuff and having surgery. The 49ers' doctors had to check out his shoulder Sunday before the club would agree to a deal. When Spikes visited their headquarters in March, he was rehabbing the shoulder and couldn't pass a physical.

Until recently, it was believed Spikes was asking too much for the 49ers. General manager Scot McCloughan said Sunday they hadn't improved their offer. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Spikes' agent, Todd France, couldn't be reached for comment.

At one point, the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder was believed ready to sign with Detroit. He also has talked to Oakland, Tampa Bay, New England and Cleveland.

Moore, who has spent his entire six-year career with the 49ers, told SFGate.com, "I didn't have the year I wanted to have last year. ... I could only control my part and, obviously, I didn't play as much as I wanted."

According to coach Mike Nolan, it was clear that Moore was not going to make the team, so he was released to give him a chance to sign elsewhere before rosters are set.

Moore led the 49ers in tackles with 114 and sacks with 6 1/2 in 2006. After the season, he was named winner of the club's Matt Hazeltine Award as the team's most courageous and inspirational player.

But he fell out of favor early last season because of missed tackles in preseason games. Also, it was believed the coaches regarded his attitude as lackadaisical.

Contrary to that notion, Nolan said, "He's worked his tail off. That's never been an issue. He's a good-character person. I think he can play, and he can add something to somebody's position."

With the emergence of Willis at the other inside linebacker spot last year, Moore was shifted to the strong side. But Derek Smith was the starter there. And in the nickel defense, Jeff Ulbrich was the other inside backer with Willis. So Moore was benched.

Nolan said Moore played "OK" in Friday's exhibition game against the Raiders, but it's possible the last straw was his apparent lack of effort to stop Johnnie Lee Higgins' touchdown punt return.

"It's a situation where you want to go where you are celebrated, not tolerated," Moore said. "In many ways, I look at this as a gift."

Ulbrich said he talked briefly with Moore as he left the building. He said the move caught his longtime teammate by surprise.

As for his own feelings, Ulbrich said, "It hurts. He's a friend of mine."

When Spikes signed later in the day, it meant that Ulbrich probably goes back to being a backup, with rookie Larry Grant behind him, while former Viking Dontarrious Thomas backs up Willis.

Briefly: Reserve offensive tackle Damane Duckett was placed on injured reserve and will have surgery to repair a broken bone in his knee. ... Former Nebraska offensive lineman Chris Patrick, who has been with four different teams in the past year, took Duckett's place on the roster. ... Tight end Delanie Walker needed numerous stitches to close a gash on his right elbow after his 40-yard kickoff return against the Raiders. "My elbow got caught in a guy's chin-strap buckle," Walker said. He said he will play Saturday night against Green Bay. ... Nolan said he wouldn't decide the quarterback rotation for the Packers game for a couple of days. Asked if he would consider bringing in still another quarterback, Nolan said, "The door is open to any player we feel makes us better. ... But there is no one out there at this time that we feel strongly about."